Why is it important to read the Bible daily? - Part 3: Social Reasons

I started writing a blog post about the importance of reading the Bible daily. That one post quickly turned into three blog posts! The reasons just kept coming to mind. If you haven't yet, read about my personal reasons for reading the Bible daily here. Read about Biblical reasons for reading the Bible daily here.

Below, you will find social reasons why I read the Bible daily.

Enjoy!

1. Spending time with God fills me with the Goodness of His Spirit - I'm more pleasant to be around when I spend daily time in scripture and prayer. Scripture states, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV). When I am filled with these wonderful things from God, I can interact in a more loving way with my family, friends, and strangers.

2. I want to set a good example for our daughters - My Grandma Bert set a good example of Bible study for her family, including my mother and me. My mom then set a good example for me and now her grandchildren also. I remember from a young age seeing my mom's Bible sitting on an end table in our living room. I've been to houses where Bibles are on display. However, my mom's Bible is not out for display. It sits out for easy access. It's read, highlighted, written in, and falling apart. It's been like that as long as I can remember. And, although I've thought to get her a new Bible, I know she will always prefer the Bible that connected her to God through study and prayer, in good times and the most challenging. I want our three daughters to know I also cherish reading the Bible, in hopes that they are moved to spend daily time with God also.

3. Jesus sets the best example for us - The whole Bible explains God's love and provision for us. In John 15:12 (NIV), Jesus says, “‘My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.’" Some often quote this and Mark 12:31 (NIV), "‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" They use these verses to elevate their personal opinion about "love." However, they don’t share the rest of the story from the Bible. They don’t share that the greatest commandment is to, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’” (Mark 12:30 NIV). They don’t explain how Jesus loves. In John 15:13 (NIV), Jesus says, “‘Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’” It takes reading the Gospels (often repeatedly) to fully understand how Jesus loves others. As Christians, we cannot depend on others to tell us the whole story. We must read it for ourselves to know why and how to love God, how to truly love our neighbor, how to listen for and know God's Word, and to understand all that God has to teach us in Scripture.

4. I want scripture on my heart to guard against distractions and deception - From the beginning, Satan used deception to pull humans away from God (read Genesis 2-3). It still happens today. Social media and mainstream media amplify deception. Smartphones place distractions in the palm of the hand. Just Google to find multiple research studies indicating social media contributes to depression and anxiety. Decision fatigue and comparison are both harmful contributing factors. Having truth from the Bible, like 2 Timothy 1:7, on my heart clears my mind and my focus. It says, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV).

5. Hardship and crisis are more bearable - I'll let Ephesians 6:10-17 (NIV) explain, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

6. Studies show reading scripture four days a week has extensive benefits - A study conducted by the Center for Biblical Engagement, released in 2009, reveals reading the Bible four days a week is linked to reduced participation in unhealthy behaviors. CBE states, “Christians who are engaged in Scripture most days of the week have lower odds of participating in these behaviors:

   • Getting drunk = 57% lower odds

   • Sex outside marriage = 68% lower odds

   • Pornography = 61% lower odds

   • Gambling = 74% lower odds

   • Any of these habits = 57% lower odds" (Scientific Evidence for the Power of 4 Page 6-7).

     CBE also reported, "More scripture engagement also produces a Christian who is more involved in spreading the Good News. Controlling for other factors, those who read or listen to the Bible at least four days a week have higher odds of participating in these behaviors:

   • Sharing faith with others = 228% higher odds

   • Discipling others = 231% higher odds

   • Memorizing scripture = 407% higher odds" (Scientific Evidence for the Power of 4 Page 7).

     It's interesting that the number of days in scripture per week make a difference. CBE declares in their report, "Consistent with the findings from our previous studies, we also find that there are no statistically significant differences between those who read or listen to the Bible one to three times a week and those who spent zero days doing so. In other words, for adults, engaging scripture for less than four days a week does not appear to have the same protective factor as doing so for four or more days" (Scientific Evidence for the Power of 4 Page 12).

     Read more about their full report here: Scientific Evidence for the Power of 4.

Do not be led astray. Pick up your Bible and read today.